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Gehrt L, Englund H, Laake I, Nieminen H, Möller S, Feiring B, Lahdenkari M, Trogstad L, Benn CS, Sørup S. Is vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella associated with reduced rates of antibiotic treatments among children below the age of 2 years? Nationwide register-based study from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Vaccine 2024; 42:2955-2965. [PMID: 38508926 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous studies have shown that vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) may have beneficial non-specific effects, reducing the risk of infections not targeted by the vaccine. We investigated if MMR vaccine given after the third dose of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP3), was associated with reduced rates of antibiotic treatments. METHODS Register-based cohort study following children from the age of recommended MMR vaccination until age 2 years. We included 831,287 children born in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden who had received DTaP3 but not yet MMR vaccine. Cox proportional hazards regression with age as the underlying timescale and vaccination status as a time-varying exposure was used to estimate covariate-adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHRs) and inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) HRs of antibiotic treatments. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Compared with only having received DTaP3, receipt of MMR vaccine after DTaP3 was associated with reduced rates of antibiotic treatments in all countries: the aHR was 0.92 (0.91-0.93) in Denmark, 0.92 (0.90-0.94) in Finland, 0.84 (0.82-0.85) in Norway, and 0.87 (0.85-0.90) in Sweden, yielding a summary estimate of 0.89 (0.85-0.93). A stronger beneficial association was seen in a negative control exposure analysis comparing children vaccinated with DTaP3 vs two doses of DTaP. CONCLUSIONS Across the Nordic countries, receipt of MMR vaccine after DTaP3 was associated with an 11% lower rate of antibiotic treatments. The negative control analysis suggests that the findings are affected by residual confounding. Findings suggest that potential non-specific effects of MMR vaccine are of limited clinical and public health importance for the milder infections treated out-of-hospital in the Nordic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Gehrt
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark; Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Hélène Englund
- Department of Public Health Analysis and Data Management, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ida Laake
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo, Norway
| | - Heta Nieminen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sören Möller
- Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Berit Feiring
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo, Norway
| | - Mika Lahdenkari
- Department of Knowledge Brokers, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lill Trogstad
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark; Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Signe Sørup
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Gehrt L, Laake I, Englund H, Nieminen H, Feiring B, Lahdenkari M, Palmu AA, Trogstad L, Benn CS, Sørup S. Cohort Profile: Childhood morbidity and potential non-specific effects of the childhood vaccination programmes in the Nordic countries (NONSEnse): register-based cohort of children born 1990-2017/2018. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065984. [PMID: 36764731 PMCID: PMC9923270 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the NONSEnse project is to investigate the non-specific effects of vaccines and immunisation programmes on the overall health of children by using information from the extensive nationwide registers on health and sociodemographic factors in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. PARTICIPANTS The cohort covers 9 072 420 children aged 0-17 years, born 1990-2017/2018 and living in Denmark, Finland, Norway or Sweden. All countries use a unique identification number for its permanent residents, which makes it possible to link individual-level information from different registers. FINDINGS TO DATE Data collection and harmonisation according to a common data model was completed in March 2022. As a prerequisite for comparing the effects of childhood vaccinations on the overall health of children across the Nordic countries, we have identified indicators measuring similar levels of infectious disease morbidity across these settings. So far, studies pertaining to non-specific effects of vaccines are limited to investigations that could be undertaken using aggregated data sets that were available before the NONSEnse cohort with individual-level information was completely set up. FUTURE PLANS We are currently performing several studies of the effects on non-targeted infectious disease morbidity across the countries following vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, human papillomavirus, rotavirus and influenza. Multiple studies are planned within the next years using different study designs to facilitate triangulation of results and enhance causal inference. REGISTRATION No clinical trials will be conducted within the NONSEnse project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Gehrt
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ida Laake
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hélène Englund
- Department of Public Health Analysis and Data Management, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Heta Nieminen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Berit Feiring
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mika Lahdenkari
- Department of Information Services, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Arto A Palmu
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lill Trogstad
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Signe Sørup
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit OPEN, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Skajaa N, Gehrt L, Nieminen H, Laake I, Englund H, Sönksen UW, Feiring B, Benn CS, Trogstad L, Palmu AA, Sørup S. Trends in Antibiotic Use in Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Children. Clin Epidemiol 2022; 14:937-947. [PMID: 35966903 PMCID: PMC9369097 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s362262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To compare the use of antibiotics in children in four Northern European countries. Methods We conducted a register-based study based on individual-level prescription data from national prescription registers. We identified all redeemed outpatient prescriptions for systemic antibiotics in children aged 0–14 years from July 2006 to June 2017 in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. We computed incidence rates and incidence rate ratios of treatment episodes with any antibiotic and different antibiotic classes. Results In 2016/2017, the rates of antibiotic treatment episodes per 1000 person-years in children aged 0–14 years were 429, 284, 219, and 184 in Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, respectively, and the rate ratios (95% confidence intervals) compared with Norway were 2.33 (2.33–2.34), 1.54 (1.54–1.55), and 1.19 (1.19–1.20) in Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, respectively. The rate of antibiotic treatment episodes declined over time in all countries. The relative reductions in 2016/2017 compared with 2006/2007 were 36% in Finland, 40% in Denmark, 49% in Sweden, and 29% in Norway. Treatment episodes peaked between age 12 and 18 months. The most used antibiotic class was beta-lactamase sensitive penicillins among all children in Norway and Sweden and among children above two years in Denmark, while penicillins with extended spectrum were most used in Finland and among the youngest children in Denmark. Conclusion In all countries, the use of antibiotics in children declined between 2006 and 2017. However, there were still considerable differences in antibiotic use between otherwise quite similar Nordic countries, with a more than 2-fold difference between the countries with the lowest and highest rates. Interventions to reduce the number of antibiotic treatment episodes in the countries with higher rates could reduce the total antibiotic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Skajaa
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bandim Health Project, Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital/Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Lise Gehrt
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bandim Health Project, Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital/Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Heta Nieminen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ida Laake
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hélène Englund
- Unit for Vaccination Programmes, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ute Wolff Sönksen
- Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance, Infection Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Berit Feiring
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bandim Health Project, Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital/Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Lill Trogstad
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arto A Palmu
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Signe Sørup
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: Signe Sørup, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark, Email
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Gehrt L, Laake I, Englund H, Nieminen H, Benn CS, Feiring B, Trogstad L, Palmu AA, Sørup S. Hospital Contacts for Infectious Diseases Among Children in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, 2008-2017. Clin Epidemiol 2022; 14:609-621. [PMID: 35520276 PMCID: PMC9063804 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s355193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Comparing rates of childhood infectious disease hospitalisations across countries may uncover areas for improvement in the prevention of severe childhood infections. We compared rates of childhood infectious disease hospital contacts across Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden with the overall objective to elucidate potential differences in burden of disease and in organisational and registration practices. Methods Using national registries, we estimated incidence rates for infectious disease hospital contacts between 2008 and 2017 among children aged 0–14 years. We investigated the rates for different types of contacts (inpatient or outpatient including emergency room), duration of admission, and by sex. Results During the study period, the rate of all hospital contacts per 1000 person-years was highest in Sweden (125.2) followed by Finland (87.1), Denmark (79.0), and Norway (62.1). The rates aligned for inpatient contacts with overnight stays; 19.3 (Denmark), 16.6 (Finland), 16.3 (Norway), and 13.0 (Sweden); these were highest in early infancy in all countries. A peak around 1 year of age was seen in all countries except in Sweden. The rates were higher among boys compared with girls in early childhood, after 13 years of age the rates among girls surpassed the boys. Conclusion Large cross-country differences were observed for outpatient and short-term hospital contacts for infectious diseases, affected by differences in organisational structures and coding practices across and within countries over time. Inpatient contacts requiring overnight stays reflected more comparable levels of severe infections across countries. Childhood infectious disease morbidity was greatest among boys and before 2 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Gehrt
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit Open, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark.,Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Laake
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hélène Englund
- Unit for Vaccination Programmes, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Heta Nieminen
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Bandim Health Project, Research Unit Open, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark.,Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Berit Feiring
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lill Trogstad
- Division of Infection Control, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arto A Palmu
- Department of Public Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Tampere, Finland
| | - Signe Sørup
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Sørup S, Englund H, Laake I, Nieminen H, Gehrt L, Feiring B, Trogstad L, Roth A, Benn CS. Revaccination with measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and hospitalization for infection in Denmark and Sweden - An interrupted time-series analysis. Vaccine 2021; 40:1583-1593. [PMID: 33518465 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a previous cohort study of 4-year-old Danish children, revaccination with the live measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) was associated with a 16% reduction in the rate of hospitalization lasting two days or longer for non-measles-mumps-rubella infections. AIM To examine if the introduction of revaccination with MMR at 4 years of age in Denmark (spring 2008) and at 7-9 years of age in Sweden (autumn 2009), at a time when there was virtually no measles, mumps or rubella cases, was associated with a reduction in the rate of hospitalization-for-infection lasting two days or longer at the population level. METHODS We included 4-year-olds in Denmark and 7-9-year-olds in Sweden. We obtained the number of hospitalization-for-infection lasting two days or longer from nationwide hospital registers. Person-years at risk were approximated from population statistics for each season and year. We performed an interrupted time series analysis using Poisson regression to estimate the change in hospitalization incidence rates following the introduction of MMR revaccination, adjusting for seasonality. We also performed analyses with control series (3-year-olds in Denmark and 4-year-olds in Sweden). RESULTS Comparing the incidence of hospitalization-for-infection lasting two days or longer after the introduction of MMR revaccination with the expected level without an introduction of MMR revaccination resulted in an incidence rate ratio of 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89-1.28) for 4-year-olds in Denmark and 0.89 (95% CI = 0.77-1.02) for 7-9-year-olds in Sweden in analyses without controls. Analyses with controls gave similar results. CONCLUSION This population-level study of the introduction of MMR revaccination in Denmark and Sweden had inadequate power to confirm or refute the findings from an individual-level Danish study of an association between MMR revaccination and a lower incidence rate of hospitalization-for-infection lasting two days or longer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Sørup
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines (CVIVA), Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Oluf Palmes Allé 43-45, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - Hélène Englund
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, 171 82 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ida Laake
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Heta Nieminen
- Department of Public Health Solutions, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, FinnMedi 1, Biokatu 6, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Lise Gehrt
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines (CVIVA), Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark; Bandim Health Project, OPEN, Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital/Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9 A, 3(rd) Floor, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Berit Feiring
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lill Trogstad
- Division of Infection Control and Environmental Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Adam Roth
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Nobels väg 18, 171 82 Solna, Sweden; Institution for Translational Medicine, Lund University, J Waldenströms g 35, CRC, hus 92, plan 11, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christine Stabell Benn
- Research Center for Vitamins and Vaccines (CVIVA), Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark; Bandim Health Project, OPEN, Open Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital/Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9 A, 3(rd) Floor, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
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Bitzegeio J, Bukowski B, Hausner M, Sissolak D, Rasmussen LD, Andersen PH, Katz K, Englund H, Hagstam P, Sagebiel D, Werber D. Two measles clusters in connection with short inner-European air travels indicating impediments to effective measles control: A cluster analysis. Travel Med Infect Dis 2020; 33:101542. [PMID: 31786281 PMCID: PMC7110584 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.101542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Importation and transmission of measles via air travel is a public health concern to countries, which are close to or have achieved elimination, i.e., to the majority of countries in Europe. In 2018, two measles cases occurred in Berlin residents, who flew within Europe while being infectious. In addition to contact tracing through passenger manifests, we contacted national authorities in flight destination countries or embarking countries and inquired about epidemiologically linked measles cases to the two Berlin index cases. We identified eight epidemiologically linked cases (six males, median age: 32 years) from three countries associated with three air-travels. Consequently measles was imported to Germany (Bavaria), Denmark and possibly Sweden. Our investigations revealed impediments to an effective public health response indicating the need to revisit current guidelines and methods to better control transmission of measles related to air travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Bitzegeio
- State Office for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Britta Bukowski
- Department of Public Health, District Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Germany
| | - Marius Hausner
- Department of Public Health, District Berlin Mitte, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Katharina Katz
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | - Per Hagstam
- Regional Office of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Dirk Werber
- State Office for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin, Germany
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Gil Cuesta J, Aavitsland P, Englund H, Gudlaugsson Ó, Hauge SH, Lyytikäinen O, Sigmundsdóttir G, Tegnell A, Virtanen M, Krause TG. Pandemic vaccination strategies and influenza severe outcomes during the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic and the post-pandemic influenza season: the Nordic experience. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 21:30208. [PMID: 27123691 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2016.21.16.30208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During the 2009/10 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic, the five Nordic countries adopted different approaches to pandemic vaccination. We compared pandemic vaccination strategies and severe influenza outcomes, in seasons 2009/10 and 2010/11 in these countries with similar influenza surveillance systems. We calculated the cumulative pandemic vaccination coverage in 2009/10 and cumulative incidence rates of laboratory confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 infections, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deaths in 2009/10 and 2010/11. We estimated incidence risk ratios (IRR) in a Poisson regression model to compare those indicators between Denmark and the other countries. The vaccination coverage was lower in Denmark (6.1%) compared with Finland (48.2%), Iceland (44.1%), Norway (41.3%) and Sweden (60.0%). In 2009/10 Denmark had a similar cumulative incidence of A(H1N1)pdm09 ICU admissions and deaths compared with the other countries. In 2010/11 Denmark had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of A(H1N1)pdm09 ICU admissions (IRR: 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-3.0) and deaths (IRR: 8.3; 95% CI: 5.1-13.5). Compared with Denmark, the other countries had higher pandemic vaccination coverage and experienced less A(H1N1)pdm09-related severe outcomes in 2010/11. Pandemic vaccination may have had an impact on severe influenza outcomes in the post-pandemic season. Surveillance of severe outcomes may be used to compare the impact of influenza between seasons and support different vaccination strategies.
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Harvala H, Wiman Å, Wallensten A, Zakikhany K, Englund H, Brytting M. Role of Sequencing the Measles Virus Hemagglutinin Gene and Hypervariable Region in the Measles Outbreak Investigations in Sweden During 2013–2014. J Infect Dis 2015; 213:592-9. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiv434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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Kuitunen M, Englund H, Remes S, Movérare R, Pelkonen A, Borres MP, Mäkelä MJ. High IgE levels to α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and casein predict less successful cow's milk oral immunotherapy. Allergy 2015; 70:955-62. [PMID: 25951431 DOI: 10.1111/all.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A new treatment option for persistent cow's milk allergy (CMA) is oral immunotherapy (OIT). Not all patients develop tolerance during therapy, and markers to identify those who will benefit from it are needed. The objective was to study the IgE and IgG4 antibody profiles to milk and milk proteins before and after OIT in relation to clinical outcome. METHODS Seventy-six children (5-17 years) with challenge-verified CMA were subjected to a 6-month OIT protocol. The treatment aimed at reaching a maintenance dose of 200 ml CM (high dose = HD). Those who did not reach target were analysed as a low-dose (LD) group. Sera were characterized before and after OIT regarding serum levels of IgE and IgG4 to milk and five milk allergen components evaluated together with clinical CMA symptoms and outcome of OIT. RESULTS Fifty-five (72%) patients reached the maintenance dose (HD) during therapy. High specific IgE levels towards the milk allergens α-lactalbumin (P = 0.048), β-lactoglobulin (P = 0.006) and casein (P = 0.015) before OIT start were associated with lower maintenance dose reached. Patients who developed desensitization had a larger increase in IgG4 levels to α-lactalbumin (P = 0.034), β-lactoglobulin (P = 0.010), casein (P = 0.047) and lactoferrin (P = 0.030) during treatment than those who failed. CONCLUSIONS Component-resolved diagnostics before OIT can help to identify children with lower probability of a successful OIT outcome, as high IgE levels to α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and casein are associated with lower maintenance dose reached. An increase in the IgG4 concentration to milk components during treatment indicated effective desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Kuitunen
- Children's Hospital; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
| | - H. Englund
- Thermo Fisher Scientific; Uppsala Sweden
| | - S. Remes
- Kuopio University Hospital; University of Eastern; Finland Finland
| | - R. Movérare
- Thermo Fisher Scientific; Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - A. Pelkonen
- Skin and Allergy Hospital; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
| | - M. P. Borres
- Thermo Fisher Scientific; Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - M. J. Mäkelä
- Skin and Allergy Hospital; University of Helsinki; Helsinki Finland
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Linde A, Englund H, Hederström P, Nylén G. [The flu of 2012-2013 shows the need to protect at-risk groups of all ages. Vaccination can save lives]. Lakartidningen 2014; 111:150-152. [PMID: 24624764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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Campe H, Englund H, Hautmann W, Wildner M, Liebl B, Zapf A, Sing A. Das Bayern Influenza Sentinel (BIS) ermöglicht eine intensivere regionale Influenza-Überwachung. Gesundheitswesen 2013. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1337545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Englund H, Hautmann W. Using an outbreak to study the sensitivity of the surveillance of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli and other enteropathic Escherichia coli in Bavaria, Germany, January to October 2011. Euro Surveill 2012. [DOI: 10.2807/ese.17.34.20251-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
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Affiliation(s)
- H Englund
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - W Hautmann
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Oberschleissheim, Germany
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Englund H, Hautmann W. Using an outbreak to study the sensitivity of the surveillance of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli and other enteropathic Escherichia coli in Bavaria, Germany, January to October 2011. Euro Surveill 2012; 17:20251. [PMID: 22939211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Following an outbreak of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in Germany 2011, we observed increases in EHEC and non-EHEC E. coli cases in Bavaria. We compared the demographic, clinical and laboratory features of the cases reported during the outbreak period, but not related to the outbreak, to the cases reported before and after. The number of EHEC and non-EHEC E. coli cases notified per week during the outbreak was fivefold and twofold higher respectively, compared to previous years. EHEC cases notified during the outbreak were more often reported with bloody diarrhoea, and less often with unspecified diarrhoea, compared to the other periods. They were more often hospitalised during the outbreak and the following period compared to the period before. Their median age (26.5 years, range: 0–90) was higher compared to before (14.5 years, range: 0–94) and after (5 years, range: 0–81). The median age of non-EHEC E. coli cases notified during the outbreak period (18 years, range 0–88) was also higher than before and after (2 years, p<0.001). The surveillance system likely underestimates the incidence of both EHEC and non-EHEC E. coli cases, especially among adults, and overestimates the proportion of severe EHEC cases. Testing all stool samples from patients with diarrhoea for enteropathic E. coli should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Englund
- Bayerisches Landesamt fur Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Oberschleissheim, Germany.
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Englund H, Heißenhuber A, Hautmann W. Meldungen darmpathogener Escherichia coli in Bayern während eines Ausbruchsgeschehens: ein Blick auf die Basis des Eisbergs? Gesundheitswesen 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1307353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Laffer S, Lupinek C, Rauter I, Kneidinger M, Drescher A, Jordan JH, Krauth MT, Valent P, Kricek F, Spitzauer S, Englund H, Valenta R. A high-affinity monoclonal anti-IgE antibody for depletion of IgE and IgE-bearing cells. Allergy 2008; 63:695-702. [PMID: 18325077 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01664.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have identified a monoclonal anti-human immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which recognizes FcepsilonRI-bound IgE and prevents binding of IgE to FcepsilonRI. In this study, we assessed the binding kinetics and affinity of monoclonal antibody 12 (mAb12) for IgE and investigated whether mAb12 can be used for depletion of IgE and isolation of IgE-bearing cells from peripheral blood. METHODS Binding kinetics and affinity for IgE were studied using Biacore surface plasmon resonance technique experiments. IgE antibodies were depleted from serum using sepharose-coupled mAb12 and IgE-bearing cells were enriched from heparinized blood samples with mAb12. The extent and biological relevance of IgE depletion were studied by quantitative IgE measurements and basophil histamine release experiments. Specific binding of mAb12 to IgE-bearing cells (basophils, mast cells, IgE-secreting plasma cells) was demonstrated by FACS. RESULTS Monoclonal antibody 12 shows rapid association (k(a) = 5.46e5/Ms) with IgE, almost no dissociation (k(d) = 8.8e-5/s) and an affinity for IgE (K(D) = 1.61e-10 M), which is as high as that of FcepsilonRI. Immobilized mAb12 could be used to deplete IgE antibodies and isolate IgE-bearing cells from peripheral blood in a single-step procedure. CONCLUSIONS Monoclonal antibody 12 is a high affinity anti-human IgE antibody, which efficiently removes IgE and IgE-bearing cells from peripheral blood and may thus be used for extracorporeal depletion of IgE and IgE-bearing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Laffer
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology, Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
For many non-governmental organizations, the treatment of war trauma among refugees has become a key issue in humanitarian assistance. There is, however, as yet little independent evaluation of the notions and therapeutic practices which inform humanitarian interventions in refugees' mental health. By drawing on intensive anthropological fieldwork, the paper problematizes two central issues in these interventions: the role of past experiences in refugees' present well-being, on the one hand, and the need to verbalize trauma in a therapy, on the other. An alternative approach to refugees' mental health draws on current theoretical insights into non-discursive bodily practices. The paper substantiates these insights by focusing on the therapeutic salience of funerals and spirit exorcism among Mozambican refugees in Malawi. By exorcizing the vengeful spirits of those who had died during the war, refugees were also healing their war traumas. It was not so much the loss as the difficulty in observing a full range of rituals that characterized refugees' predicament. The paper concludes by suggesting ways in which humanitarian assistance could utilize these insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Englund
- Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
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Jeppsson JO, Jerntorp P, Sundkvist G, Englund H, Nylund V. Measurement of hemoglobin A1c by a new liquid-chromatographic assay: methodology, clinical utility, and relation to glucose tolerance evaluated. Clin Chem 1986. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/32.10.1867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A chromatographic method for determining glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) by use of a new monodisperse cation-exchanger has been investigated. Hb A1c was separated from other "minor hemoglobins": Hb F, Hb A3 (the glutathione adduct), and the acetaldehyde adduct in alcoholics. The method was fully automated and a single column could be used for more than 1000 runs. The normal reference interval was 4.0-5.2%; the interval for diabetic outpatients was 5.6-12.4%. Within-run and the between-run CVs were less than 0.9% and 1.7%, respectively. Carbamylation in uremic patients who were undergoing hemodialysis increased the proportion of Hb A1c to 1%. Hb A1c results were compared with results from glucose tolerance tests. In our study, Hb A1c less than 5.5% excluded diabetes: subjects with Hb A1c greater than 6.2% showed diabetes. If blood sampled during fasting had been screened with determinations of glucose and Hb A1c, only 20% of referred subjects would have needed an oral glucose tolerance test for diagnosis of diabetes.
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Jeppsson JO, Jerntorp P, Sundkvist G, Englund H, Nylund V. Measurement of hemoglobin A1c by a new liquid-chromatographic assay: methodology, clinical utility, and relation to glucose tolerance evaluated. Clin Chem 1986; 32:1867-72. [PMID: 3757206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A chromatographic method for determining glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c) by use of a new monodisperse cation-exchanger has been investigated. Hb A1c was separated from other "minor hemoglobins": Hb F, Hb A3 (the glutathione adduct), and the acetaldehyde adduct in alcoholics. The method was fully automated and a single column could be used for more than 1000 runs. The normal reference interval was 4.0-5.2%; the interval for diabetic outpatients was 5.6-12.4%. Within-run and the between-run CVs were less than 0.9% and 1.7%, respectively. Carbamylation in uremic patients who were undergoing hemodialysis increased the proportion of Hb A1c to 1%. Hb A1c results were compared with results from glucose tolerance tests. In our study, Hb A1c less than 5.5% excluded diabetes: subjects with Hb A1c greater than 6.2% showed diabetes. If blood sampled during fasting had been screened with determinations of glucose and Hb A1c, only 20% of referred subjects would have needed an oral glucose tolerance test for diagnosis of diabetes.
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Englund H, Warfving T. A new chromatography system for separation of biomolecules. Yao Xue Xue Bao 1983; 18:705-13. [PMID: 6677058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Englund H. [Does education pay?]. Vardfacket 1979; 3:12-3. [PMID: 260589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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